By Conor Sharkey
THE opening of Strabane's first gay bar has been heralded as a hugely significant step by one of the North West's leading gay rights activists.
The Central Bar threw open its doors to the public on Friday night, following weeks of anticipation and speculation.
Its opening was exclusively revealed in the Strabane Chronicle last month.
On Friday night, around 50 people gathered outside the Castle Street premises to see Strabane Council Chairman Gerard Foley officially launch the new venture.
The gay bar is the first of its kind to be opened outsideof Ireland's major cities and has courted much controversy, comedy and curiousity since being announced by local business man James McCarron.
One of the first customers into the newly refurbished Central Bar was the Rainbow Project's David McCartney.
He said the development was long overdue.
"A few years ago, Irish cities admitted that there was a gay presence and opened a number of night clubs geared towards our community.
"What the opening of this bar is saying is that, yes, our small towns have a gay community too and they are welcome and they are valued.
"I have been a gay rights activist for 25 years and when I started out, gay people were moving away in their droves because they were deemed socially unacceptable.
"But now we have this development and it is one of the biggest steps I've seen for the gay community.
"What it is saying to us is stay, there is something here for you," he said.
Asked how he believes the bar will be received locally, David said he thinks Strabane is more than ready.
"I've spoken to a lot of my friends from this area and they are all very supportive.
"I have heard one or two derogatory comments, but those were from people who have listened to the racist element that exists out there. It is when the majority say no to discrimination that change happens and that is what has happened in Strabane.
"It is a huge and amazing thing that has happened here this evening," David said.
Samantha Peoples is a 34-year-old woman who has been in relationship with her female partner for the past eight years.
She too said the bar is exactly what the North West's community need.
"I think the bar will be great for everyone.
"It will provide a safe environment for those who are comfortable with their sexuality and provide somewhere for those, who haven't come out, to meet and chat to people who have been in a similar situation to themselves.
"With regards to the controversy it has created, I think once the novelty has worn off, people will get on with their lives and forget about the bar being gay friendly.
"At the end of the day, we deserve to be able to go out and have a quiet drink in a safe environment as much as the next person," Samantha said.
n See Party pics from Friday night's opening in Living section.
